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<\/p>\nWe often refer to \u201cthe good old days\u201d as a time in the past when we believe life was better. With frequent and increasing exposure to significant stressors ranging anywhere from school shootings to cyberbullying, to unreasonable loads of schoolwork, it makes us yearn for those simpler times for our children.<\/p>\n
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Watching our children grow up in an era where society appears to be more volatile than ever may allude to the prevalence of mental illnesses. But no matter if your child displays signs of a possible mental health condition, is diagnosed with a condition, or is merely trying to manage stress, one thing is for certain: self-care is key.<\/p>\n
Simple by definition, self-care signifies deliberate actions taken to improve one\u2019s mental, emotional, and physical health. In particular, when it comes to children, self-care is most effective when backed by a support system from their families. Parents can have a significant influence<\/a> on the wellbeing of their children as they typically share emotional bonds, common values, goals, and responsibilities. Building a strong family relationship promotes a positive family well-being and supports good mental health in children. Thus, parents can unite with their children as a family unit to practice self-care together to continuously promote positive growth.<\/p>\n Connect With Each Other. <\/strong>Communication and support go hand-in-hand. Conversations surrounding mental health, or even just about intense feelings, might be uncharted territories for some families (especially so if you\u2019re discussing difficult topics such as recent school shootings). As a parent, it\u2019s essential to create an environment where your child feels welcome to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs. Children should know that they have someone to talk to at any time; therefore it can be helpful to allocate a dedicated time together for meaningful conversations, like regular family dinners.<\/p>\n Research shows that sharing a family meal<\/a> is good for the spirit, the brain and the health of all family members. In fact, regular family dinners are linked to decreased rates of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, depression, obesity and eating disorders among youth, as well as an increase in grade-point averages and self-esteem.<\/p>\n This data leads us to an important question: How can parents have productive discussions during family meals? Keep in mind proper conversation etiquette will provide children with the comfortability to be able to talk openly and honestly. Psychology Today<\/a> suggests the following tips for parents to encourage their children to engage in open dialogue:<\/p>\n Still uneasy? Take away some of the uncertainty of these conversations by exploring mental health resources<\/a> together that can explain difficult emotions in a digestible manner. Being able to have purposeful discussions together can ultimately build trust and strengthen family bonds.<\/p>\n Soul Food. <\/strong>Not only can routine family meals serve as a designated time to talk with each other about serious stressors and feelings, which can cultivate a sense of understanding and belonging, but meal time also encompasses other advantages of self-care that are frequently overlooked. Findings of the benefits of home-cooked meals<\/a> show that those who eat home-cooked meals on a regular basis tend to consume less sugar and processed foods resulting in improved mood and mental health.<\/p>\n This doesn\u2019t mean you need to ditch the Friday night tradition of pizza and wings, but what it does mean is to consider swapping out Tuesday\u2019s frozen TV dinner for a nutrient-dense recipe that the whole family wants to try. Maybe you have a family of picky eaters (honestly, every family has at least one), so draw names out of a hat to see who gets to pick the recipe that week. Bonus points if they help cook the meal! For parents stuck in a rut about what to cook, check out some healthy yet easy dinner ideas<\/a> that your kids can help make.<\/p>\n Spend Time Outside, Not Online.<\/strong> Regardless if you\u2019re the parent or the child, it\u2019s hard to find the motivation to exercise at times. But exercise is crucial for the mind and body<\/a> as it relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts overall mood. Don\u2019t let the oftentimes dreaded phrase \u2018exercise\u2019 scare you and your family away. Instead, change each other\u2019s mindset from \u2018working out\u2019 to \u2018having fun\u2019 by using exercise as an excuse to try something new and enticing. Exercise and other physical activities are a great substitute for smartphones and tablets, which can be mindlessly addicting, and increase susceptibility to negative influences like cyberbullying<\/a>.<\/p>\n Remember, though, that exercise as a means of self-care is something that should be practiced regularly, so it\u2019s important to choose feasible activities that are age-appropriate for every family member. One of the easiest ways for parents to get their kids moving is to go for walks after dinner together. Not only will this foster more quality time spent together, but it\u2019s a light activity that every child can do. Even in the cold winter months, post-dinner strolls can still be enjoyable by admiring neighborhood Christmas lights or other holiday decorations.<\/p>\nHow Can Families Practice Self-Care Regularly?<\/h2>\n
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